The article found at
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2013/02/20/drug-arrest-leads-to-murder-charge-for-nerohelps explain the interconnections.
Excerpts:
Drug arrest leads to murder charge for NeroBy Karena Walter,
The StandardWednesday, February 20, 2013 8:27:03 EST PM
A massive drug investigation by Niagara Regional Police has led to a first-degree murder charge in Toronto for alleged Niagara-on-the-Lake drug kingpin Nick Nero and two others accused of being part of his organized crime network.
Nero was charged Wednesday in Toronto while his suspected right-hand man Martino Caputo was being held in Germany for extradition. A third man, Rabhih Al Khalil, continues to be sought in relation to the large-scale drug network NRP first uncovered.
On Wednesday, police said all three men from the Niagara drug investigation Project Ink are being charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 35-year-old John Raposo at a Toronto patio last June.
“During the investigation into Project Ink One and Two, information was uncovered that we were able to share with Toronto Police Service that impacted on the Raposo homicide investigation,” said NRP Staff Sgt. Shawn Clarkson Wednesday.
Less than four months ago, Niagara investigators issued cross-Canada warrants for 39-year-old Caputo of Toronto and 25-year-old Al Khalil of the Ottawa and Montreal areas.
The pair were accused of being part of the largest drug ring in Niagara history, in which police allege Nero and his associates imported up to 400 kilograms of cocaine a week into Canada.
The business was estimated to be worth as much as $1.9 billion a year.
Caputo was picked up in Germany on Saturday and held for extradition. He’s being held on the Niagara warrant for drug-related offences.
Al Khalil continues to be sought across Canada and police released his photo Wednesday, asking the public not to approach him but call 911 if he is spotted.
Nero, a former competitive bodybuilder convicted in the 2003 heist of an armoured truck, was arrested in May of 2012 on multiple drug and conspiracy charges.
The charges related to what police called a record-breaking seizure in February 2012 of 110 kilos of pure cocaine worth $30 million.
[snip]
Charges from Project Ink 1, Project Ink 2 and Toronto’s homicide squad
Nicola “Nick" Nero, 36, of Niagara-on-the-lake- possession for the purpose of trafficking
- conspiracy to possess for the purpose of trafficking
- conspiracy to import cocaine X 2
- conspiracy to traffic drugs X 2
- conspiracy to launder proceeds of crime
- obstruct justice
- participation in a criminal organization
- first-degree murder
Tawnya delBen Fletcher, 28, of Niagara-on-the-lake- possession for the purpose of trafficking
- conspiracy to possess for the purpose of trafficking
- conspiracy to import cocaine
- conspiracy to traffic drugs
- conspiracy to launder proceeds of crime
- counselling to commit obstruction of justice
- participation in a criminal organization
Jordyn delBen Fletcher, 29, of St. Catharines- possession for the purpose of trafficking
- conspiracy to possess for the purpose of trafficking
- conspiracy to launder proceeds of crime.
Frank Alessio, 33, of Niagara Falls- possess for the purpose of trafficking
- conspiracy to possess for the purpose of trafficking
Angelo Alessio, 34, of Niagara Falls- possess for the purpose of trafficking
- conspiracy to possess for the purpose of trafficking
Courtney Bryan, 32, of Toronto- obstruct justice
Alfonso Inclima, 39, of Woodbridge- conspiracy to traffic
- conspiracy to import
- participating in a criminal organization
Nebojsa Dronjak, 39, of Niagara Falls- conspiracy to traffic
- conspiracy to import
- participating in a criminal organization
Mohamed Reza Amin Torbari, 49, of Vancouver- conspiracy to traffic
- conspiracy to import
- participating in a criminal organization
Arrest warrants have been issued for:Martino Caputo, 39, of Toronto- conspiracy to traffic
- conspiracy to import
- participating in a criminal organization
- first-degree murder
Rabih Al Khalil, 25, of no fixed address-wanted for first-degree murder
- conspiracy to traffic
- conspiracy to import
- participating in a criminal organization
- first-degree murder
